Stoke City 2-1 Swansea: Missed Chances and Late Fightback Define Entertaining Clash

Swansea City fought back late to try and take a point from a spirited display at Stoke this afternoon.   Ultimately it was defeat for Vitor Matos and his side but there was plenty of positives to take from a performance that is slowly starting to show some more cohesion from the Swans.

A late strike from Zan Vipotnik gave the Swans hope but they more then matched their opponents on a cold afternoon in the Potteries and whilst they return to South Wales with nothing to show for those efforts they will rue some missed chances and a spell either side of half time where they conceded the two goals of the afternoon.

First half: Chances for both sides but moment of quality is the difference

The first half at Stoke was a breathless affair, full of energy and intent from both sides, yet it ended with the home team holding the advantage. Swansea began brightly, with Eom particularly lively down the left flank, constantly looking to stretch the game and deliver telling balls into the area. Vipotnik had early chances to make his mark, running onto clever passes and testing Johansson in the Stoke goal, but his finishing lacked the precision needed to tilt the contest in the Swans’ favour.

Stoke, for their part, were equally determined to stamp authority on the match. Manhoef was a constant menace, driving at defenders and forcing the Swans to stay sharp at the back. Bozenik and Wilmot both came close in the opening exchanges, with the home crowd sensing that a breakthrough was only a matter of time. Yet for much of the half, Swansea matched Stoke stride for stride, with Vigouroux commanding his area and Burgess standing firm against the aerial threat.

The Swans’ best spell came midway through the half when a series of corners and crosses from Tymon and Eom unsettled the Stoke defence. Burgess forced Johansson into a strong save, and Cullen’s follow-up was blocked at close range. Galbraith too had his moment, whipping in a deep ball that Eom controlled well, only for his shot to fly harmlessly over. It was the kind of passage that suggested Swansea were building momentum, even if the final touch continued to elude them.

Stoke responded with their own surge, Bocat delivering a superb ball that Bozenik met with a diving header, only to see it clear the bar. The frustration of the home supporters was audible, as their side enjoyed possession without carving out the decisive chance. Pearson, already walking a disciplinary tightrope after repeated fouls, looked to be losing his composure. Yet football has a way of turning quickly, and it was Pearson who produced the moment of quality that broke the deadlock.

With three minutes left before the interval, the ball fell kindly to him 25 yards out. His strike was pure, arrowing past Vigouroux and into the net. It was a finish that lifted the stadium and left Swansea ruing missed opportunities. The Swans tried to respond before the whistle, but Stoke closed ranks and carried their lead into the break.

It was a half that had everything: chances at both ends, flashes of skill, and relentless pace. Swansea will feel aggrieved to be trailing, given the openings they created, but the difference was a single moment of brilliance. Stoke head into the dressing room buoyed, while the Swans know they must sharpen their edge if they are to turn the tide in the second half.

Second Half: Late fightback from Swans but to no avail

Swansea City’s second half at Stoke was a bruising reminder of how quickly a game can slip away, yet also how belief can flicker back to life when least expected.

The restart belonged to the home side. Stoke came out with intent, pressing high and forcing the Swans onto the back foot. Delivery after delivery rained into the box, and while the defence stood firm for a spell, the visitors struggled to get any rhythm. Stamenic’s booking summed up the pressure, and Franco’s petulant shove moments later only added to the sense of unease.

Changes arrived just before the hour, with Inoussa and Key introduced to spark some energy. But almost immediately Swansea were punished. A cross from Bae on the left found Thomas, who struck cleanly on the bounce to double Stoke’s advantage. It was a ruthless finish and left the Swans staring at a mountain.

To their credit, they tried to respond. Inoussa showed flashes of danger, forcing Johansson into a save, while Cullen sniffed around for scraps. Yet Stoke looked the more likely to kill the contest, Vigouroux twice called into action to keep the scoreline respectable.

Then, just as hope seemed gone, Swansea found a lifeline. Widdell, fresh off the bench, surged down the left and delivered a perfect ball across the area. Vipotnik met it first time, burying his chance and igniting belief among the travelling support. Galbraith’s earlier pass to release Widdell deserved mention too, a moment of vision that opened the door.

Momentum shifted. Inoussa drove at defenders, Idah was thrown on to chase the equaliser, and Galbraith saw a powerful effort blocked when it looked destined for goal. The Swans pressed hard into stoppage time, seven long minutes offering a glimmer of salvation. Tymon’s injury stretched the clock further, and Burgess had a wild swing from the edge of the box. Tymon and Key both sent crosses into the danger zone, but each time Stoke scrambled clear.

The final whistle came with Swansea still a goal short, beaten 2-1. It was a half of frustration and fight, of mistakes punished and spirit rediscovered too late. Stoke deserved their win for the dominance they showed after the break, but the Swans will rue the lapse that allowed the second goal and the lack of cutting edge when the game was there to be rescued.

For Swansea supporters, it was another afternoon of mixed emotions: anger at the sloppiness, pride in the late surge, and the nagging thought that with sharper ideas in attack, this could have been a different story.

Moving On

The Swans can take much from this performance and, on the back of two home wins, they almost came back from the Potteries with what would have been a deserved point.  In the end though it wasn’t to be but we should not be despondent this afternoon as we produced more than enough to generate that point and, on another afternoon, could easily have had all three of them.

The goal we scored was a wonderfully crafted goal from Galbraith, Widdell and Vipotnik and there were plenty of positives in performances particularly from those who were introduced in the second half.

We now move onto face Wrexham on Friday and should go into that game with confidence high and a good chance of a third successive home win.

This article first appeared on JACKARMY.net.